Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds
A/N: Thanks again to all who take the time to read and review.
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He'd fallen asleep in his armchair reading teachers' reports. His head rested on his chest, drool from his half open mouth dampening his grey goatee. He jerked to consciousness when the phone beside him rang. He picked it up instinctively, not looking at the call display. "Hello," he said sleepily.
"Principal Senoff," the voice on the other end asked. He didn't recognize the voice. Would a student be calling him at home late on a Saturday night? The voice sounded older than a student, he thought.
"Yes, this is Jake Senoff," he said, becoming more wide awake.
"I'm sorry to bother you so late on a Saturday night. It's Spencer Reid calling."
"Oh, Dr. Reid, what can I do for you?" Jake Senoff was wide awake now!
"Do you recall asking me a while back to speak to the students about bullying and how to handle it along with some self defense strategies?"
"Yes, of course I remember." Jake Senoff was intrigued. What could possibly have the young FBI agent suddenly calling him this late at night over something that he had mentioned a few months ago? "I assumed you never got back to me because you were too busy. It's a sad commentary on our world isn't it, that a man with your job should be so busy."
"I have been busy but something has made me realize I have to make the time. When bullying is sparking suicides and murders, not to mention the school shootings you're so well aware of, something needs to be done. I probably can't do anything in the grand scheme of things but maybe I can make a difference in my own little corner of the world."
"I'd really appreciate it if you would," the principal replied, wondering what had suddenly affected the young agent.
"I'm out of town right now but I'll get back to you as soon as I return. Thanks for the opportunity. Goodnight Principal Senoff."
"Goodnight Dr. Reid." Jake Senoff hung up and clicked his television remote. He had muted it when he started reading his reports. The news was on, covering a breaking story from Lancaster, Ohio…
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Reid's cell rang and he glanced at the caller ID and smiled. "Hi Evan, what are you doing up so late?"
"Hi Spencer, it's Saturday night, I get to stay up later. I'm not a little kid anymore!" Evan said this as his brother recited the oft heard line along with him.
Reid laughed, "To what do I owe the pleasure of this late night call?"
"Well, I thought you went to Ohio for Allie's reunion and to meet her family but I just saw you on the news and then JJ was talking about catching some serial killer."
"Damn, I was on the news, what was I doing?" He asked his brother, wondering where the cameras had caught him.
"You had your vest on and were going into some school with the team."
The CBS news van must have been filming, Reid thought.
"So, I just wondered," the boy continued, "How you are?"
Reid realized that Evan thought that what his brother did was cool but since he had talked to him about Georgia and had been shot in Atlantic City, the boy worried for his brother's safety and was always relieved to hear his voice after a case. "I'm good, we've got this case wrapped up and Allie and I will be heading home tomorrow. I'll call you tomorrow night when I get home if it's not too late."
"Spencer, call me anyway."
Reid smiled, "Okay buddy, I'll call you tomorrow night."
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Allie walked into the hotel room and kicked off her shoes as the phone rang. She answered it. "Oh hi Mom, I just came from the hospital. Yeah, she's fine, the baby's okay too. No Mom, you don't need to come over. I'm really fine, I'm just going to take a shower and get ready for bed. It's been a long day and I'm tired. No, he's not back yet. He went to LPD to participate in the interrogation. I'll tell him he has your undying gratitude. Have you made up with Dad? Oh you certainly encouraged me to when I was angry at him. What do you mean, he broke down. Dad doesn't break down. Mom is he okay? I've never seen Dad cry. Okay Mom, let me talk to him." She waited until she heard her father's voice on the phone. "Hi Daddy, yes I'm fine. I'm not hurt at all. Spencer's down at LPD now helping with the questioning. It's not your fault Dad, please don't blame yourself. Okay, we've got brunch tomorrow at ten. We'll see you then. I love you too, goodnight." She hung up the phone and headed to the shower, discarding her dress on the way. She started the water running and came out a few seconds later wrapped in a towel to check that the hotel room door was locked.
Reid entered the hotel room to the sound of the shower running. He saw Allie's red dress on the floor and picked it up. He removed his suit jacket and loosened his tie, sat down on the bed and removed his glock. He was exhausted. He heard the shower shut off and he got up and headed for the bathroom. Allie liked it when he rubbed lotion on her back. He turned the knob on the door, it was locked. She never locked the bathroom door, he thought. He knocked on the door. "Allie, do you want me to rub some lotion on your back?" He yelled through the door and heard what sounded like a scream. "Allie, are you alright? Open the door, sweetheart. Allie," he yelled again. "Allie are you okay?" He looked at the door, he wasn't Morgan but something was wrong and he had to get in there. He reared back, raised his leg and kicked the door hard. The door gave way and Allie screamed again. He entered the room to find Allie, standing in the bathtub wearing one of his tee shirts, her hair dripping onto the fabric. In her hand she held a nail file, her arm back, ready to drive it home.